Sheffield Industrial Museums is pleased to announce that a joint funding bid to Arts Council England has been successful.

The application was developed with Museums Sheffield and the project will support increased access to the city’s collections, opportunities for community involvement in our heritage and projects to promote health and wellbeing for the people of Sheffield.

The two organisations will work together to deliver a creative programme that celebrates the life of the city. The two museum trusts are set to receive £200,000 from Arts Council England for the four year partnership.

The funding will make a significant difference to Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, a charity that runs Kelham Island Museum, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and Shepherd Wheel.

“We are delighted that through this funding Arts Council England will support the two organisations to work in partnership. We very much look forward to working together with Museums Sheffield and with local residents to tell Sheffield’s story and enable people to explore the city’s rich heritage.”

The funding is part of a wider award made to Museums Sheffield. The charity, which runs the Millennium Gallery, Graves Gallery and Weston Park Museum and cares for the city’s art, human history and natural science collections, was today named as one of Art’s Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations, securing funding of £600,000 per year through to 2022.

“On behalf of the Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust I’d like to congratulate Museums Sheffield on their NPO bid, these really are exciting times for arts, culture and heritage in the city.”

The Arts Council England (ACE) funding will allow Museums Sheffield to provide a vibrant exhibition, event and learning programme over the next four years, including:

A programme bringing together the finest in art and design from national and international partners with exhibitions and displays developed in Sheffield, celebrating the city’s history, cultural heritage and remarkable collections that tell its story.

A wide range of events, from innovative after hours Live Lates and meaningful opportunities for children and young people to workshops, family activities and work with the city’s diverse communities.

The National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding replaces the ACE Major Partner Museum funding stream, which comes to an end in March 2018. The Major Partner Museum programme has seen Museums Sheffield receive £600,000 in annual funding between 2015 and 2018. The new NPO funding stream will complement continued funding from Sheffield City Council.

Kim Streets, Chief Executive of Museums Sheffield, says:

“We’re thrilled to have successfully bid for National Portfolio Organisation and are hugely grateful to Arts Council England for their continued support. NPO funding will help Museums Sheffield deliver a vibrant programme that we hope will engage and reflect Sheffield’s diverse communities, showcasing the very best art, culture, history and heritage in the city. We look forward to working closely with Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust to provide a fantastic museum and gallery experience for the people of Sheffield and visitors to the region alike.“